MARQUETTE — The Michigan State Police from the Negaunee Regional Dispatch Center will host the First Responder Blood Drive Event from 8 a.m.-6 p.m. Wednesday, July 23, at the U.P. Health System Regional Blood Center, located in the old Office Max building at 1400 W. Washington St., Marquette.

All first responders across Michigan’s Upper Peninsula, including police, fire, EMS, corrections officers, hospital staff, military personnel and retirees from these professions, are invited to participate in this event. The public is also welcome to attend and donate.

“The U.P. Health System Regional Blood Center supplies blood to each county NRCC dispatches for and even beyond,” said Kristi Carello, an emergency dispatcher at NRCC and one of the event organizers. “When we donate, we are directly supporting and positively impacting the communities we serve. All donated blood stays in the UP. I believe this is a great way to bring some positivity into the center and a meaningful opportunity to give back to the community, even beyond what first responders already do.”

As a thank you, all police, fire, EMS, corrections officers, hospital staff, military personnel, and retirees from these professions who donate blood will be entered into a raffle featuring prizes from local businesses, including contributions from Ore Dock Brewery, The Island, Doozers, Donkers, Texas Roadhouse, Lake Superior Smoke House, Wilderness Sport, and more.

All who donate, including the general public, will receive a Texas Roadhouse coupon and a Lake Superior Smoke House coupon.

Walk-ins are welcome throughout the day. For those needing to donate during a scheduled time, appointments can be made by calling the Blood Center directly at 906-449-1452, or by contacting Kristi Carello at 906-869-0251 or carellok@michigan.gov.